To meet this objective, RDH’s Training & Publications team collaborated with local building enclosure specialists and instructors to design a one-day, hands-on course titled “Reaching Future Performance Targets Using Fundamental Enclosure Concepts.” Our team developed a program with an interactive format aimed at achieving broad reach and strong trainee engagement. The result was a robust, hands-on learning opportunity that offered substantial engagement to encourage greater builder trainee retention and satisfaction.
RDH’s building enclosure specialists delivered training sessions across British Columbia from spring 2023 through fall 2024, reaching both major urban centres and smaller communities. Over the course of the program, we provided full-day, instructor-led sessions in twelve locations—Burnaby, Squamish, Victoria, Courtenay, Nanaimo, Vernon, Penticton, Kelowna, Kamloops, Nelson, Salmon Arm, and Cranbrook—with active participation from attendees at each stop. In total, the initiative trained more than 250 professionals throughout the province.
Each session combined slides, 3D graphics, tabletop mock-ups, and hand tools to guide participants through installation detailing procedures. Trainees applied air barrier and water-resistive barrier membranes on personal, pre-constructed building mock-ups, gaining valuable hands-on experience. RDH also developed a reference guide with high-performance building enclosure details and installation sequences for reference during and after the training.
This training approach provided trainees with hands-on experience in detailing, known to improve efficiency, increase durability, and reduce installation costs. Each session provided new and seasoned builders with the fundamental knowledge to successfully implement high-performance building enclosure designs that meet current and future code requirements.
To support CHBA BC with event administration, we created a training materials checklist to prepare tools and materials before each engagement and a trainer materials supply box containing training samples and aids to accompany the traveling mock-up materials. We also assisted with venue coordination to ensure that each location provided the necessary amenities to support the trainees’ active participation and ample visibility.
